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Monthly Archives: November 2011

Mould thrives in damp, humid conditions, the sort of conditions frequently felt in Sydney! Mould spores can present a health hazard, especially for people with respiratory issues such as asthma, and it is best to deal with the problem quickly. Fortunately, there are several natural mould removal options for you to chose from. Avoid using strong and unnecessary chemicals, they have a whole different range of health issues!

Resources Lencia is specifically designed to address bathroom mould. Lencia contains a natural mildecide and fungicide, and is extremely economical. It is available in a 1 Litre or 5 Litre concentrate, and is used in a 1 in 10 dilution. This means that you use just 50ml in a 500ml spray bottle! I recommend the specially marked spray bottle, it is calibrated, which means it has markings showing 50ml, 100ml, 150ml etc on the side of the bottle, and it has a foaming trigger, so the froth stays put on the wall when you spray it. It also has the full instructions printed on the bottle. It can be used in other areas of the house, such as on paths that have become slippery and black, or on exterior paintwork that has developed a green hue!

Fungiver Mould and Mildew Remover

The second is a more expensive but very effective spray called Fungiver. Fungiver will also lighten any staining that has resulted from mould.

useful if you have leather shoes, bags or jackets that have developed mould. You can use a few drops of clove oil on a damp cloth, the mould will wipe off the leather, and get killed in the process. There is an added bonus of a very yummy fresh smell! You can also put a few drops of clove oil in some water, and rinse your wash cloth in that, then clean the mould away. Clove oil is also good for removing mould from timber furniture or decorative items, a common problem with furniture and artifacts which have come from the tropics.

There are ‘common’ remedies for mould, which also work and are part of the natural bicarb soda and vinegar cleaning routine. The basic premise is that acid kills mould. Vinegar is an acid commonly found in most homes (get some cheap vinegar, dont waste the balsamic!). Do a test patch on leathers and wood to make sure you don’t damage the surface.

Storing woolens is part of the spring cleaning routine, but there’s no need to use smelly naphthalene nor vacuum sealed bags that suffocate your clothes. Woolens are best kept so that they breathe; ideally in a timber box or wardrobe, especially if the box is made from Cedar or Camphor (insects hate the oils in these woods).

Natural oils in Cedar deter clothes moths.

In the absence of these pieces of furniture, as is the case in our home, store your woollies in the top (or bottom) of the wardrobe, with a generous strewing of Cedar Fresh moth balls. These little moth balls come 18 in a packet, and smell wonderful!

Even better, you could extend the life of these cedar balls for a second season by rolling each ‘marble’ between two sheets of sandpaper to remove the dried wood, and expose more of the cedar oil, or you can add a little lavender essential oil to them. But be careful not to make them too oily or you may stain your clothes!

If you have a box to store your woolen items in, that will help to keep the scents from the cedar and lavender in and around the woolens. Think of the sort of box you might use as a gift box, or when you buy expensive lingerie or perhaps a wedding gown! You may need to line the box with acid-free tissue paper to ensure the cardboard doesn’t contact the fabric if your items are delicate, just to ensure the cardboard doesn’t colour the fabric.

Start by checking each item to make sure it has all it’s buttons etc, mend any seams that are coming apart, and remove any piling that may have happened with wear. You want the woolens ready to wear when the first cold weather hits in autumn!

Choose a good wool wash, one with eucalyptus oil in it, to further deter all insect life. Lavender is also a deterrent for insects, so a wool wash or fabric softener with added lavender oil also helps. Note: it has to be actual lavender or lavender oil, look for ‘lavender essential oil’ in the ingredients list. A synthetic lavender fragrance just doesn’t cut it in the insect world!There are several good brands to chose from, here’s a collection of our favourites and recommended brands of both wool wash and fabric conditioners.

Lavender sprigs

Dried posies or twigs of lavender strewn throughout the shelves or drawers not only looks and smells good, it serves the added function of sending the insects away. If you dont have any lavender growing in the garden, think about planting some to use next year!